Time-Out in January

Well there are certainly a few things we cannot do at this time sadly!

However we all have time now on our hands!

As a Church we usually set aside a Tuesday each week and provide a place with space – the UPPER ROOM – a place for time-out in these busier days. In the early weeks and months of lockdown 2021 it is not possible once again to open and run this space.

You are invited however to make time to pause and take time out…at this time of the year…perhaps for the first time….. Our theme for 2021 comes from John 15 and focusses on Prayer, Listening to God.

* Find a space to be still in a busy world
** For regular time-out during this month
* Private prayer for yourself and for others
** With God – Father Son and Holy Spirit

You are invited to pause at some time during this week and be still with God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

You are encouraged to speak with Him….to listen to Him.…to receive from Him…especially at this time as we seek to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church in our times.

You are invited to share in the Midday Prayers and Evening Prayers that will be posted online at 12noon and 9pm on various days on the Kirk website and on our social media pages. We are also encouraged to pray with others in our city and across our land at 5pm….focussing on all those affected by the coronavirus…..and during these particular weeks you are invited to join with others and pray for all those affected afresh by the new coronavirus restrictions.

We are all invited to pray with others in our Church family as we journey through these early days of 2021 together…..and to listen for what God is saying to us in these changing and uncertain days. You are encouraged to take some exercise by the Government..and we would invite you to take a walk around the Kirkyard and consider the Word for Today words and images from JOHN 14 in this month.

The Word for Today Poster 6

Daily Devotions for Monday 11th January, 2021

Morning
Look Upward and Pray to hear and receive from God, the Holy Spirit

Reading : PSALM 46

Meditation : take the time to consider this passage today.
God is With Us.
What words or images stay with you?
What is God saying to you this morning about Himself?
What is your response to God’s Word today?

Pray in response – to our God , the God who is with us

Pray your own words at the start of this day
Of praise and worship
Of confession and trust
Of need – for yourself and others

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Midday
Pray God’s blessings on refugees and asylum seekers in our city
O LORD, have mercy on all we call out and pour rich blessings!

Evening
Reading : read the passage again prayerfully at the end of your day
Reflect….. and then pray to God in response to verses 8-10

LORD God, the LORD Almighty, hear my prayer this evening.
As I humbly name others before you.
As I call out to you for others in this day
As I lay myself and this world before you
In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Pause to Pray with Others

On this particular Sunday..as the nation journeys through this further stage of Lockdown.. you are invited to pause and pray with others in our city and across the nation…to the LORD our God, our Father God.

You are encouraged to pray for all those affected by the coronavirus

For family and friends and neighbours

For all the Churches in our city at this time

For NHS and Care Home staff in our city

For our country and our national leaders at this time of decision making

Daily Devotions for Sunday 10th January, 2021

Morning
Look Upward and Pray to hear and receive from the Living God

Reading : PSALM 24

Meditation : take time and consider these words this Sunday morning.
God is The Great King.
What words or images stay with you?
What encourages and challenges you today?

And then pray in response to the LORD our God who reigns over all!
Use verses 7-10 as you turn to pray with worship.

O LORD our God,
Good and majestic One,
Creator God,
Great and so worthy of praise.
We bow before You.
We lay our lives before You.
O fill us with your Spirit afresh
For of ourselves we get it so wrong
Today and every day!
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Midday
Pray the Prayer for the Month as your own midday prayer

Thank you, our Lord and God most high,
for your constant love every morning and your faithfulness each night,
for all you have done that rejoices our hearts:
you have taught us your wisdom, you have blessed us in our worship,
you have given us happiness, you have kept us safe,
you have strengthened us through the passing years.
Lord, we trust in your mercy and protection:
thank you, Lord. Amen

(based on the words of Psalm 92)

Evening

Reading : read these verses again from PSALM 24
Reflect on all that is said here in this particular psalm and then Pray in response to this God

O LORD, our Great Kingly God,
Hear our evening prayers of praise we ask
As we thank you for what we read
As we look back over our day
As we look ahead to tomorrow
As we name before you those we are concerned about.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.